Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1887-04-15
DortG obQrroGimes
PORT TOBACCO:
Friday Morning"....".....-April Is, 1887.
The Potomac Fisheries.

In another column we publish an arti-
Gle from the Alexandra Gazette on the
subject of the Potomac fisheries, in which
the decline in the prosperity of those fish
cries operated by hauling seines which has
taken place in recent years, is particularly
noted. We think that our contemporary
is in error with regard to the Chapman
Point fishery in this county, for We have
understood that the present owners will
operate it this season as usual. The catch
of herring last season was more encourag-
ing than for some years previous, and this
will probably induce some of the Mary
land seine-haul fishermen to make another
trial.
But there is no doubt of the general
truth pointed out by the Gazette that in
the last ten or fifteen years there has been
a very great decline in the catch of fish in
the Potomac; and this decline has not
been confined to the herring fisheries but
has been quite as great IN the catch OF
shad. Indeed the diminution seems to be
more particularly applicable to the latter
fish. for the improved catch of herring at
the last season would seem to show bet
ter prospect for that fsb. The TIMES has
adverted to this important fact at the
close of each fishing season for several
years past and suggested the necessity Of
investigating the cause, as means of pro-
viding a remedy for the evil.
The Gazette no doubt strikes upon the
true cause, when it refers to the continu-
Gus fishing carried on in recent years, in
season and out of season, near the mouth
Of the river and out in the Chesapeake
bay. This il the general opinios prevail
ing among the fishermen. But those most
familiar with the subject think that the
evil results following from the manner OF
taking fish in our waters in recent years
is due rather to the mode than the con-
tinuity of the fishing. They think it is
the trap nets that are doing the mischief.
This latter is the method now generally
employed in taking herring aud bunch
fish. This manner of fishing. it is charged,
results in killing large number of young
fish unfit for use, and thus causes waste
full diminution IN the fish supply; while
the shad, which is very cautious fish, is
repellsd and frightened away by the
lengthy wings of nets and poles appurte-
nant to the traps. These wings as applied
to the Chesapeake fisheries are said to be
of very great length and to furnish very
great obstruction to the passage of fish
into the mouth OF the Potomac.
Attention is properly called to the SEEM
ing oversight or partiality on the part Of
the Legislatures Of Virginia and Maryland
which, while devoting much attention to
the regulation Of the catch Of oysters and
equipping expensive police forces to res
train the abuse of the fishing privileges in
that regard, are entirely neglectful Of any
regulations looking to the preservation Of
the more important food fishes which serve
to feed the hungry in the lower walks OF
life.
Undoubtedly this matter should be in
vesiigated by the Legislature. The cause
of the great diminution in the supply of
food fish in the Potomac, which is 30 net
able in recent years, should be carefully
ascertained by thorough Investigation and
the proper remedy be provided by suita-
BILE legislation. 1t may be an error to
charge this evil to the trap nets; the cause
may be found elsewhere. But it is q strong
fact, to which the fishermen attach much
importance, that the marked diminution
in the fish supply has followed closely up
on the introduction of fishing by that pro-
cess. It is said that in the more noriherly
rivers trap net fishing has beeu prohibited
by law, on account of its destructiveness.
This matter should receive the attention
of the Legislature at its next session and
the representatives from the counties bor
dering upon the Potomac should take the
initiative part in the movement.
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